Early on Friday, as speculation swirled in the foreign press of the midfielder's expected move to the MLS, Terry posted a picture of him and Lampard holding the FA Cup on his Instagram account accompanied by the comment:
"Devastated is an understatement. We should retire the number 8 shirt in honour of lamps. #theheartbeat #hero #legend #hero #goalmachine #friend #ktbffh [keep the blue flag flying high] #cfc #chelsea."

Although Terry later deleted the comment and stated he was only responding after seeing quotes attributed to Lampard's agent, Steve Kutner, in the Italian media, Benitez was left perplexed. Kutner, meanwhile, also denied giving any interview.

"I was surprised when they told me [about Lampard's move] but that's it," Benitez said. "We know that we have to manage the situations as they are coming.

"This time it was the agent with things that he says he didn't say so it was quite difficult to follow, but I don't have any problem. We have to talk. I think that the priority is to concentrate on matters on the pitch and we will try to do this."

The incident does, however, reflect how delicate the Lampard situation is. It now appears almost certain the Chelsea legend will leave the club, with Benitez left to answer questions on an issue completely out of his hands.

"I said before when I arrived, the situation was the same," Benitez said. "He is working hard, he is training and it's what I expected of him. I know that, in the next months, he will maybe be talking about this issue but, for me, he's a good professional, a good player and doing well and he's working hard. I cannot do anything else, just bring the best from him."